The Night Lights Music Festival is ramping up for its seventh year with a stacked line-up featuring space rock innovators Papadosio and electronic funk masters Dopapod. The three-day event runs August 24th through 26th at the Heron in Sherman, NY. Night Lights will include three stages, over 30 acts, and miles of LED light installations. The festival combines music, art, and community to close the festival season in western New York with a blend of national acts, touring regional artists, and a variety of local musicians to celebrate the close of summer festival season.

Colorado-based trio Sunsquabi, Austin psych rockers The Bright Light Social Hour, and Chicago-based quartet Mungion are all slated to make their western New York festival debuts. Despite being a platform for many budding artists from across the United States, the Night Lights Music Festival is anchored by a vast majority of growing regional and local talent. Over half of the artists featured at this year’s event are from within a 60-mile radius of the venue, with more than three-quarters of this year’s line-up hailing from New York state.

This year, Buffalo groove rockers Aqueous will return for their fifth appearance at Night Lights, with the group scheduled to play three sets over two days. The band was formed in 2007 by high school friends Mike Gantzer (Guitar/Vocals), David Loss (Guitar/Keys/Vocals) and Evan McPhaden (Bass). Rob Houk (Drums/Vocals) joined the band last spring after Aqueous launched a nationwide search for a new drummer. Although native to western New York, the band has developed an ardent cross-country fan base that has them heading out on their own headlining tours and landing high-profile supporting slots with bands like Umphrey’s McGee. This fall, the band will hit the road, with dates already announced in Madison, Charleston, Nashville, Cleveland, and Chicago.

Aqueous has spent the summer touring at festivals across the United States. However, no matter how far from home the band travels, Loss admits that there is always something magical about playing Night Lights. “It’s close to home for us so a lot of the hometown crowd will be there, which always leads to some special moments,” said Loss. “Seeing faces in the crowd that you’ve been seeing for years is always a great feeling.”

Many fans anticipate the weekend’s sets will showcase new music while also digging deep into Aqueous’s catalog, though Loss is staying tight lipped on revealing any specific details, “We always like to keep things fresh and new, especially in the hometown area. So, you can certainly expect some things you haven’t heard live from us before.”

“For me, since I was the ‘new guy’ to the band and this region of the country, it was like a new kid coming to a new school,” Houk said, commenting on playing the festival with Aqueous for the first-time last year. “As the 5th drummer, I think a lot of people were worried that I wouldn’t stay, or I would spontaneously combust, choke on someone else’s vomit, or die in a gardening accident,” he joked while referencing the cult classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. “Now they are realizing that I’m not going anywhere, and the familiar faces from the crowd in the beginning have now become friends. I think that kind of love, friendship, and good energy brings a lot of comfort to our playing.”

Loss agreed. “I think right from the get-go, the energy and vibe are right. I think it puts us in the right place, and there’s a very nice shared excitement that allows us to be loose and comfortable, too. We can take more chances, I feel, both in the songs we choose to play and with how we play them. We know the crowd will be along for the ride!”

It’s that level of familiarity and comfort that many in the band’s fan base are traveling to see. The weekend will also be a haven for the band’s growing fan base, known as AQuaintences, many of whom are excited to the see “AQ” so close to Buffalo.

Andrew Pirrone of Rockaway, NY will be making the seven-hour trip from his home to WNY for his first Night Lights. “AQ is a big reason why my girlfriend and I are heading to Night Lights,” he explained. “When I saw them recently play in Rochester, it was a totally different show. Being closer to their friends just made them explode. I could see the joy in their faces, and the music responded. I’ve heard some amazing things about Nights Lights and AQ playing there, so it just feels right to see what the story is about.”

Daniel Hardin of Rochester, New Hampshire is also making the trip to Night Lights to catch Aqueous closer to home. He notes, “I want to see a comfortable AQ. I want to see them take chances because they feel safe at home.” Hardin also noted that getting to see three sets from the band expands the variety and exploration as a fan: “I’m expecting some more diversity and for them to take advantage of the time. I’ll definitely be eager to see what the setlists look like.”

On Friday afternoon, Aqueous will perform an acoustic set, dubbed AQoustic, on the venue’s intimate stage. Although Loss and Gantzer often play acoustic shows locally under the moniker The Wonder Emporium, Loss noted that this will be the first time the band has played an acoustic set as a four-piece in recent memory: “It’s been a while, for sure. It will be nice to approach our tunes from a slightly different angle and be able to do some different things with them. I think we’ll just try and have fun with it!”

Houk added, “I’ve had a really good feeling about the acoustic set since we announced it. I think that the set is going to yield some interesting jams, cool versions of originals and of course, a few covers.”

Aqueous has shared billing points with many of the festival’s artists, including Papadosio, Dopapod, Jimkata, Mungion, and Mihali Savoulidis of Twiddle. “I’m looking forward to hanging with all the other great musicians that will be there. It’s a fantastic lineup with a lot of good friends!” Loss said. “We’ve had the opportunity to tour with many of these bands, too, so it’s always great when we can all come together.”

Beyond their point of view as performing artists, the members of Aqueous also look forward to enjoying the music as fans. “The folks who curated this lineup must have been in my head while they made it. I have been excited all summer,” mused Houk. “The grounds at The Heron are some of my favorite that I’ve been to. I’m looking forward to walking around the grounds, watching some of my favorite bands, and enjoying the tranquility of The Heron.”

Tickets for Night Lights Music Festival are $125 in advance and include camping. Single Day passes are also available. While attendees are encouraged to camp in the beautifully lit and enchanted woods camping, limited car and RV parking is available. Parking fees apply and carpooling is encouraged. Get tickets and more info here!

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